As 2024 dawns, it’s a new year for hotels and resorts around the world, with new builds, renovations and game-changing additions fulfilling many a New Year’s resolution to find the perfect incentive or meeting destination.
Fontainebleau Las Vegas
A new era of luxury hospitality began last week as Fontainebleau Las Vegas opened its doors to the world. The 67-story luxury resort and casino, brought to life by Fontainebleau Development, started welcoming guests just before midnight, following star-studded grand opening celebration.
Already a classic in the making, the new resort extends the Fontainebleau legacy to the Las Vegas Strip, blazing new trails started by its legendary sibling on Miami Beach. From its lavish accommodations—3,644 beautifully appointed guest rooms and suites—to its exquisite dining and vibrant nightlife, every facet weaves a tapestry of meaningful features and accents.
Set on 25 acres adjaent to the Las Vegas Convention Center District, Fontainebleau Las Vegas has hit the ground running for meetings, with state-of-the-art A/V, 57 breakout rooms, continuous meeting spaces and spacious pre-function areas, built-in registration desks and dedicated loading docks and freight elevators. fontainebleaulasvegas.com.
Santo Mine and The Villas by Santo Collection, Greece
Opening in spring 2024 are Santo Mine and The Villas by Santo Collection, both in Oia, Santorini and offering breathtaking views of the Aegean Sea.
Santo Mine will house 37 individual suites—each with private pool or jacuzzi—boasting a quintessential Santorini sense of Mediterranean simplicity with soothing tones. Carved into the cliffs of Oia on the site of an old stone mine right above the enchanting Ammoudi Bay, the adults-only resort will bring guests idyllic and direct views of Santorini’s famous sunsets and will also include a new restaurant and all-day bar, wine cellar serving local and international wines, spa, and outdoor gym.
Perched on a secluded cliff with panoramic views overlooking the Aegean Sea, The Villas by Santo Collection will boast grand, four-bedroom villas featuring strikingly large indoor and outdoor spaces with an organic modern design complementing the island’s natural tones. Guests of The Villas by Santo Collection have access to their own personal concierge service to organize private chefs, spa services and exclusive excursions such as private yacht and helicopter tours. santocollection.gr
Palazzo Cordusio Gran Melia, Milan
Opened in mid-December with luxury amenities and globally inspired dining concepts, Palazzo Cordusio Gran Melia is set in the heart of Palazzo Venezia, a popular square known for its rich history and iconic design in the center of Milan.
Originally constructed as the Assicurazioni Generali headquarters between 1897 and 1901, the reopening of this historic building under Melia Hotels International kickstarts the redevelopment of Piazza Cordusio, a square that connects the iconic Duomo Cathedral to Sforzesco Castle, inviting international travelers to explore Milan’s history.
Meanwhile, 84 luxury rooms and suites feature grand windows and in some rooms, private balconies with natural lighting and unique views of Piazza Cordusio, Via Orefici, Via dei Mercanti and the Duomo. Luxury wellness offerings include an indoor pool, sauna, Turkish bath and relaxation lounge. A state-of-the-art gym boast Technogym equipment and surrounding views of the Palazzo della Ragione and Piazza Mercanti. meliahotelsinternational.com
Sunscape Dominicus La Romana
Hyatt Hotels has announced the grand opening of Sunscape Dominicus La Romana, the newest addition to the Inclusive Collection, part of World of Hyatt, following a multi-property collaboration with Be Live Hotels. The debut of the 854-room resort marks the 16th Inclusive Collection property in the Dominican Republic and expands the Sunscape Resort & Spa brand’s presence in the destination following the recent opening of Sunscape Coco Punta Cana last month.
Located steps from the Caribbean Sea, Sunscape Dominicus La Romana offers spacious accommodations up to 1,800 square feet including connecting rooms, along with junior suites and villas, all equipped with private balconies or terraces. Eleven dining outlets have something for every palate, from Amazonian delicacies to a buffet grill and even a food truck.
A destination built with meetings and incentive business in mind, Sunscape Dominicus La Romana offers 6,400 square feet of meeting facilities to accommodate anything from an intimate retreats to a large-scale conference, with breakout rooms, flexible space, and outdoor event space. A dedicated events team is on hand to execute each client’s vision.
Travelers can get grand opening rates plus $200 in resort coupons with the Grand Opening Special through Jan. 14, 2024, for travel through Dec. 20, 2024. hyatt.com.
The Westin Punta Cana Resort & Club
The Westin Punta Cana Resort & Club is redefining contemporary travel with newly refreshed rooms, two new restaurants and bars, a lobby transformation, and new additions to its meeting rooms, which comprise more than 4,300 sf of event space including three flexible meeting and conference rooms as well as oceanfront venues.
Expanding the world-class gastronomic experience offered at the resort, the renovation includes the unveiling of Brassa, a steakhouse restaurant and BAO, a Pan Asian-influenced restaurant. The transformation of the Lobby Bar elevates the dynamic Westin experience, and the new dock gazebo on the beach offers the perfect landscape special events and wellness areas. marriott.com
Sonesta Ocean Point, St. Maarten
The Sonesta Ocean Point Resort—the iconic all-inclusive and adults-only luxe property located on the Dutch Caribbean island of St. Maarten—has debuted a new Seascape Pool experience. Complete with both shallow area and deck loungers, drink service, swim-up bar, and exclusive views of the pristine Dutch-Caribbean coastline and world-famous plane spotting over Maho Bay, the debut of Seascape allows guests of Ocean Point a new way to enjoy the serene setting in year-round sunshine.
Seascape is the latest enhancement to the pool features available at the luxe resort with additional options including the signature Edge Pool with a zero entry cliff-side beach, semi-private exclusive swim-out pool suites, and the newly refreshed Point Pool. The sister property next door, Sonesta Maho Beach Resort, Casino & Spa has also made enhancements to the main Oasis Pool feature with a recent refresh.
Hailed as one of the best incentive properties anywhere, the Sonesta Maho Beach also is home to the largest meeting and convention space on Sint Maarten, with 24,000 sf of eco-friendly meeting and conference facilities accommodating up to 700 guests. sonestastmaarten.com
Rocky Pond Vineyards, WA
Renowned Washington winery Rocky Pond recently announced the opening of a luxury event venue, Milestone Events at Rocky Pond Vineyards, located in picturesque Orondo, WA and surrounded by rows of vines and views of the Columbia River Valley. The property offers multiple venues and options for event and meeting planners, including a charming pavilion and a versatile amphitheater and stage—accomodating up to 200 attendees—along with the use of the property’s team of seasoned event and culinary planners.
Planners also have the option to connect with the winemaking team at Rocky Pond to select the perfect pairings or take part in a custom crush or bottling experience, which is an ideal team-building opportunity or add-on experience for a party.
For more information visit rockypondwinery.com.
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